Our values and methods are important assets. They enable us to create competitive advantage, to deliver greater efficiency and to meet our social responsibilities. Building partnerships for sustainable development is part of our company's corporate philosophy.

Sustainable development requires an integrated approach to business which balances economic, environmental and social responsibilities. This improves the quality of life enjoyed by present and future generations.

Today, Total Upstream ranks highly as a responsible and reputable technical organisation with a human face. Among the long-lasting development projects that we have been associated with in our host communities are scholarship schemes at all levels of education as well as providing infrastructure and hardware for educational purposes. For example, computer equipment, donations to endowment funds for colleges and universities and direct involvement with the relevant departments of such institutions. One programme exposes future professionals to modern laboratories, methods and techniques in French Universities up to Ph.D level. We are always looking to recruit dynamic talent to join our own ranks, the fruit of such programmes. Our company has also established an Institute of Petroleum Studies (IPS) at the University of Port Harcourt in conjunction with the French Petroleum Institute in Paris. The objective is to provide world-class high-level training to Nigerians in Petroleum Engineering and Management-related studies. The first Induction/Graduation ceremony of the Institute of Petroleum Studies was successfully held in 2004.

We also provide basic social infrastructure - water supply, electricity, communication, health services, roads, jetties, community halls and markets - which we see as basic necessities. In selecting the projects in cooperation with the people they will serve, our company ensures that they are tangible, durable and economically beneficial to the communities.

Tangible good works in 2004

As Jacques Marraud des Grottes, managing director of Total Upstream Nigeria noted in his 2005 New Year's address, "the sustainable development of our communities and neighbours continued to be a priority. Our efforts in this area have crystallized into increases in scholarship awards, support to secondary schools, improvement of the skills development programme, and the quality of life in the host communities and the immediate environment where we operate."

Our increasing use of local content in major developments, reliance on local contractors and suppliers as well as a clear policy guideline on recruitment of qualified community youths, are important indices of our long term commitment to the country and its people.

Tangible good works in 2005

In his 2006 New Year Message, Mr. Jacques Marraud des Grottes, Managing Director of Total Upstream in Nigeria stated:

“Our ambitious recruitment programme to meet the demands of our increasing challenges is continuing…The Sustainable development of our host communities has been at the heart of our activities all along the year. The Egi gas power plant provides, since March 2005 constant electricity for the Egi host communities in Rivers State and will help in further developing the economic activity in the area.

“Similarly, our increasing use of Nigerian content in major developments, reliance on qualified local contractors and suppliers as well as a clear policy guideline on recruitment of qualified -community youths, are important indices of our long term commitment to the country and its people.”